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Stroke Prevention

Stroke: Prevention


Top Prevention

1. Reduce the intake of sodium

It is a well known fact that food products which contain a high concentration of sodium can lead to heart disease and stroke. So, whether you are going out to dinner or preparing a home cooked meal, always keep in mind the fact that the amount of salt you are consuming is below a certain limit. The blood pressure increases if the diet is high in sodium. In place of using salt, you must find other ways to put flavor in your food. For instance, herbs and spices are a suitable alternate for salt. Make it your habit to check the labels on packaged food whenever you do your grocery shopping. This is suggested because often it happens that we don’t realize that our favorite packaged food product is actually very high in terms of sodium.

2. Change your eating habits

You have to bring a lot of changes in your eating habits if you want to prevent stroke. First of all, you have to avoid fats, especially the saturated fats found in beef shortening, meat and butter. Switch to breads and cereals with whole grain versions, these are extremely healthy and play an important role in preventing strokes. Incorporate fruits in your diet, especially the ones which are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium and magnesium, such as cranberries, kiwis, apples, apricots, oranges, blue berries and pomegranate on a daily basis. The nutrients found in these fruits enrich your blood and support healthy cells. Fresh water fish such as salmon and tuna are also extremely helpful in avoiding a stroke, you must start eating them at least 2 to 4 times in a week. These fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which are known for preventing cholesterol cloths that lead to a stroke.

3. Exercise on a regular basis

One major cause behind stroke and heart attacks is the extra weight which you might have gained. If you are in the habit of exercising regularly, then it is for sure that you won’t gain extra pounds; also, the flow of oxygen to the brain will make you feel great. From exercising regularly, we don’t mean that you have to spend your entire time in the gym; a 30 minutes workout for three days in a week can do the trick, however, you have to make sure that you are consistent with your approach. Once you get into the habit of doing exercise, you can increase the time that you invest here. You can take the help of your physician to map out an exercise routine as per your requirements.

4. Eliminate smoking and drinking

Smoking and drinking are one of the leading factors behind a stroke, this happens because these habits increase your blood pressure. Also, your ability to exercise is decreased as smoking has a negative impact on your lungs. The blood flow slows down because of smoking, thus decreasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain. Each year, millions of smokers are diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. So, it is very important that you understand the negative effects of these habits on your health, and try to eliminate cigarettes and alcohol from your life as soon as possible.

5. Try the natural herb supplements

You can improve the blood circulation in your body with the help of a number of herbs. These herbs are in fact one of the most effective ways of preventing strokes and other sort of complications like this. Ginkgo biloba, ginger and cinnamon are just few of the herbs which possess this magical touch. Also, they are easily available at your local general nutrition store for stroke prevention.

6. Be alert to stroke symptoms

You need to be aware of the symptoms associated with stroke. Some of the common stroke symptoms are vision problems, dizziness and headaches. The victim may even face problem in speaking and may act confused, also balance and coordination are affected. A stroke victim may also have a seizure, vomit or may even lapse into a stupor or coma.

7. Check for diabetes

Most people are of the opinion that diabetes affects only your blood sugar levels, however, this is not a complete fact as diabetes can even lead to problems with blood vessels and nerve damage. If this happens in the brain, then it can lead to a stroke.

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